Republicans in US House of Representatives to Introduce Bill to Sanction Turkey

Click to read the article in Turkish

Shortly after US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham announced that they drafted a bipartisan sanctions bill against Turkey over its "Operation Peace Spring" launched into northern Syria, 29 Republican Congress members from the US House of Representatives have announced that they will introduce a similar bill to sanction Turkey.

CLICK - US Drafts Sanctions Bill Against Turkey

Republican Leader in the US House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy, Republican Whip Representative Steve Scalise and other party leaders have argued that the operation of Ankara should be met with a strong reaction.

Releasing a written statement, Republican Congress member and House GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney has said, "President Erdoğan and his regime must face serious consequences for mercilessly attacking our Kurdish allies in northern Syria, who incurred thousands of casualties in the fight against ISIS and helped us protect the homeland".

'Turkey should behave like an ally'

The statement of Cheney has continued as follows:

"These sanctions are not only a response to the Erdoğan regime's violent attacks in northern Syria. Congress has long had concerns about the regime's cooperation with U.S. adversaries, such as Russia. If Turkey wants to be treated like an ally, it must begin behaving like one. They must be sanctioned for their attacks on our Kurdish allies."

Trump: We have one of three choices

US President Donald Trump also commented on the recent development on his Twitter account last night at local time in Turkey (October 10).

President Trump tweeted, "We defeated 100% of the ISIS Caliphate and no longer have any troops in the area under attack by Turkey, in Syria. We did our job perfectly! Now Turkey is attacking the Kurds, who have been fighting each other for 200 years.

"We have one of three choices: Send in thousands of troops and win Militarily, hit Turkey very hard Financially and with Sanctions, or mediate a deal between Turkey and the Kurds!"

We defeated 100% of the ISIS Caliphate and no longer have any troops in the area under attack by Turkey, in Syria. We did our job perfectly! Now Turkey is attacking the Kurds, who have been fighting each other for 200 years....

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 10, 2019

Bipartisan sanctions bill at the Senate

US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham previously announced that they drafted a bipartisan sanctions bill against Turkey over its "Operation Peace Spring" launched into northern Syria on October 9.

Sharing a message on his Twitter account, Senator Graham indicated that they have reached an agreement with Democrat Senator Chris van Hollen on sanctions against Turkey.

"I am pleased to have reached a bipartisan agreement with Senator Chris van Hollen on severe sanctions against Turkey for their invasion of Syria", Graham tweeted and added, "While the Administration refuses to act against Turkey, I expect strong bipartisan support."

"Most Members of Congress believe it would be wrong to abandon the Kurds who have been strong allies against ISIS", he indicated further.

Legislative procedure at the US Congress

The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

After a bill is discussed and approved by the House of Representatives, it is sent to the Senate. When a bill is supported by both chambers, it is sent to the White House to be approved, except for special cases. (TP/SD)